As Dusza quoted, the Via Alpina was made for hikers. It wouldn't make sense to stick to that exact route as a mountain biker. However, with some modifications you could make it ridable and it would be an interesting possibility to cross the Alps from west to east.

Since light-weight is my primary goal, I decided to use the Fenix LD10. It runs with a single AA battery and has 3 brightness levels. Depending on what I do and where I go I ride with lowest and medium level. I never use the ultra-bright level. The lowest level is enough to find your way on a forest road when you're not racing too fast. The medium level is very bright and I use it on my way home from work when I go through a dark forest at night. At low level a Sanyo Eneloop rechargable NiMH-battery lasts approximately 10-12 hours. At medium level it lasts about 4-5 hours.

On my bikepacking trips I hardly ride at night and I carry the flashlight only for emergencies or when I have to cross tunnels. A single battery is enough for a 1-week trip. Thus this flashlight is ideal for me, since it is the lightest and brightest flashlight I could find and it serves my needs. It also is water-proof and very robust.

My favorite saddle is the SQLab 610, a perfect hybrid saddle for mountain biking and long trips. I've been using this saddle for years for both extreme mountain biking and long multi-day bike-hiking tours. However, SQLab is a German company and I'm not sure whether the saddles are available in the US.

Alp Crossing Blog

Well, in order to install the OpenStreetMaps, you just have to run a setup which installs the maps onto your computer and integrates them into Garmin BaseCamp or MapSource. Then you can use those Garmin Standard Programs to upload the maps to your GPS. Very easy.

As a salesperson, the biggest knock on Garmin GPSs has always been their proprietary maps. The new Garmin 24K topo maps are pretty awesome and they are the only mapping software that will auto-route you on trails (i.e., you pick the start and end and it finds the quickest trail route between the two; it doesn't only route on roads). The reason you could always only use Garmin's software is because the units could only handle vector images. But the new eTrex (as well as Oregon, Dakota, Montana, and 62 series) models are built to handle both vector (Garmin mapping) AND raster images (USGS quads). So now, if you have a new eTrex, you can purchase the "so-worth-it" $30 Bird's Eye Topo subscription from Garmin.com and then overlay traditional USGS quads on your GPS screen.

I've been using free OpenStreetMap based vector maps on my Garmin eTrex Legend for several years now. Thus I have to disagree with the original poster, there has been an alternative to the original Garmin maps for a long time. The OpenStreetMap maps today even are more detailed than the original Garmin maps in many regions, since they are enhanced by the community constantly. And I actually don't consider using raster images an advantage, so there's no need to use those unless you travel through areas where raster maps are the only detailed maps you can get. They just look a little nicer but this is not at all relevant. OpenStreetMap vector maps even support routing, which I tried once and it worked quite well.

P.S.: The only noteworthy difference between the new and the old version of the eTrex is (afaik) that the new eTrex supports tracks with more than 500 waypoints, which also isn't really necessary because you can split longer tracks into multiple single tracks. And 500 waypoints are more than enough for a whole day, if the track has good quality.

If it was a "Bad Night Challenge" I'd probably have a good shot at winning it.  :-)

It is good equipment, no doubt. You still could save some weight by choosing a lighter tent and slepping bag. It all depends on your total baggage, no idea how much you can/want to carry in your backpack.

By the way, as I said, don't rely on the video too much concerning trail description. I have a detailed description of the tour and its trails on my website (since less than a week even in English):
Alpencross 2010 Travelogue
Would you share what equipment you plan to take along? I'm especially curious about what kind of sleeping bag/tent, mat, stove etc. you will use.

ok, i totally understand what you mean.

but.....unless you are telling me that it 100% cannot be done on a hardtail bike then i am still happy to give it a go with my knowledge of my bike, it's capabilities and my skills.

I've seen people riding the craziest trails on hardtails. (I was a dedicated hardtail biker myself for a long time.) So I think it can be done one way or the other. I just don't want to be the one to be blamed should you have to push all the way down. Cudos for your toughness! The route is beautiful, it will be a great experience.

i'd be happy to take my chances as nothing i saw on video made me think that i'd prefer to be on a full-sus bike.

On video, trails mostly look much easier than they actually are. I 2010 I didn't even film the most difficult sections since filming wasn't my top priority yet.

I'd clearly recommend the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. It's as cheap as a usable GPS device gets (about 180 EUR). You can install free maps from OpenStreetMap.org. Don't buy anything cheaper cause you wouldn't have much fun with it. If 180 EUR is too much, stick to the paper maps. The alps are very well documented and a GPS isn't obligatory. It just makes the trip more enjoyable and easy.

I think the route could be suitable for you. You wouldn't need 10 days. If you take your time 8 days should be more than enough. Most parts of the route can easily be done without GPS if you prepare well and use good maps.
However, if I've seen correctly on your website, you don't ride a full suspension bike. Several of the trails I consider not ridable or pure torture without full suspension. Don't underestimate the trails. There's a reason why they are no popular Transalp routes. Some of them are really freeride trails that are even difficult for hikers.

Hey Gairy,

have you been to the Alps before? Anyway, The Albrecht route is a good choice. It is not too hard and still leads you through beautiful mountain areas. I think your plan sounds exciting and I will give you some hints.

I reckon that you will sleep outside and want to cook your own food. Also I understand that you will use a backpack, since bike bags cannot be used on this route. I also think that it would be good to use a full suspension bike, although it is not obligatory.
Due to your plan of sleeping outside and cooking, you will have to carry some extra baggage, which means extra weight in your backpack. I would recommend to plan your equipment carefully and leave out what you do not absolutely need. Carrying a backpack that weighs more than 10 kg will not be fun anymore, cause it would be a hindrance on trails. You could consider leaving the cooking equipment at home to save some weight (that's how I do it). Besides, open fire is an absolute no-go in the Alps, but a small camping stove should be tolerable.

Speaking of laws: You already know that wild camping is not allowed. The law is the following (let me quote from my own website):

Officially wild camping is prohibited in all European countries. The laws differ a little, but the basic rules are similar everywhere: Wild camping on private property is considered trespassing will be punished. [...] In Austria, wild camping is in general prohibited. If you get caught, it can be very expensive (up to 500 EUR). If you get caught camping in a nature reserve in Austria, the fine will be extremely high. Bivouacing in case of emergency may be tolerated. In Switzerland it is allowed to camp if nothing is damaged or littered, and if it isn't prohibited. In Italy, wild camping in general is prohibited and will be punished.

My experience is that if you keep a low profile, travel alone, keep off the main trails when camping, keep off private property and do lot leave any damage or litter, you can get away with it. Nobody might even notice that you are there. If the Alpine Rescue Service mistakes you as a hiker in distress and starts a rescuing party, you have to pay for it. One more reason not to light a fire.

You should watch the weather carefully, cause even in summer there can be snow in the Alps and you don't want to be outside in your sleeping bag when it has several degrees below zero and a storm front is passing above your head. The weather will be less of a problem as soon as you pass the Alpine Divide and reach Italy. (Which basically means, the first 3 days of your tour are the most critical.)

About the route: It really should be 100% ridable (with minor exceptions), and it contains several technical passages where you will have fun with a mountain bike. It also is very well documented and you can find GPS tracks on the internet. So I think it is a good choice with no risk.

About the equipment, check my website for detailed information. Equipment always varies, depending on your personal needs, but I tried to describe why I carry certain pieces with me. You decide what is useful for you.

If you really wish to camp outside I'd absolutely recommend to do it solo. It is nearly impossible to keep a low profile if you're with a group. And believe me, if you get caught by rangers or farmers or the mountain rescue, you could get into a lot of trouble. Wild camping in the Alps is nothing you should do with a group (and officially not do at all). In the past, wild campers have caused a lot of damage to nature and wilderness, that's why these strict laws were invented.

I wish you good luck with your tour, and send me an e-mail to keep me updated (for the address, check out my website)!

I think I may be one of the best sources concerning your trip. I will answer your posting later today. Meanwhile you can check out my website, which I finally started to translate to English. You will find a lot of information there about bikepacking in the Alps.

I always ride with someone slower than me... 

If you're the one carrying honey-nut-granola-bars in your backpack, the bear will get you anyway.

I think this cannot be answered in general. I think the appropriate geometry and the right saddle play the most important part. Whether you like to sit more upright or more "sportive" is a matter of personal taste. It also depends on which tracks you plan to drive. Mostly the route determines what kind of bike/position you have to choose.

I think there's no better answer than: Make sure the conditions are right (geometry, saddle) and then try it.

@all: Thanks for the positive feedback! I'm still working on improving my filming skills, but sometimes it is really hard to motivate yourself to film a scenery when you're totally exhausted or frustrated. I think you fellow bikepackers know that feeling! :-) Unfortunately, those often are the moments that are most worthwhile watching afterwords. When I had to cross that dangerous path along the cliff I really wanted to film more, but I considered it too dangerous fiddling with the cam while carrying the bike with one hand and clinging to the rock wall with the other. I didn't want to let go either of them. :-)
I'm thinking of buying an old GoPro cam for future tricky situations or when it gets wet.

That looked like a lot of work... I really enjoyed that. If you want, I could link it to my blog, I get a fair amount of trafic. again good work.

That would be great, thanks!

First off, I'd recommend using a backpack only under 2 conditions:

1. You don't plan to carry more than 22 lbs (10 kg) of baggage.
2. Your bike or the track doesn't allow using bicycle bags.

If you have to use a backpack for such reasons you should have stable and strong back and shoulder muscles to avoid pain.

I mostly use a backpack because I ride a full suspension bike and my routes are very steep and rocky; there's no way doing it with bike bags. I never suffered any pain or injuries although my backpack weighs around 22 lbs. However, a more heavy backpack would reduce my biking fun immensely.

Amazing pictures! I will read your website thoroughly.